(Photos) Parade, pigs and patriotism on opening day for fair

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Kendyll Kidney of Medina, left, last year’s duchess of the fair, and Abby Smith, a fair staff member, ride in a parade to celebrate the opening of the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Monday evening.

The fair kicked off a six-day run of events, livestock shows and other entertainment.

Jeremy Neal rides a tractor, “Little Tex,” in the parade. Neal is the chairman of the hay bale rolling contest. The fair added the parade for the first time.

Local veterans formed an Honor Guard and raised the flag during opening ceremonies. Phil Warne, adjutant and past commander of the American Legion in Albion, rolls up the legion banner after the ceremony.

Scott Goetze, past post commander of the American Legion in Lyndonville, is at right.

Caton Conde, president of the board of directors for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, welcomes people to this year’s fair. Conde said the fair represents lots of work from 4-H youth, and also from many volunteers and staff.

The Orleans County fair is a youth fair without alcohol and exhibits focused on 4-H kids.

Monday was the pig show and judge Brendan Knoll is shown observering 4-Hers in the senior showmanship competition for ages 14 to 19. In back from left include Gary Donofrio, Carter Kuipers, Joseph Forte and Lea Donofrio. Kuipers won the senior showmanship with Gary Donofrio in reserve.

Ruth Kuipers of Byron was the overall top showman with her brother Carter in reserve.

Jacob Forte, 17, of Hamlin tries to keep a pig under control during the swine show.

Elizabeth Dresser, 12, of Medina had to be nimble on her feet in showing a pig.

Matthew Bloom, 14, of Albion shows his pig with a large American flag in the background.

Henry Dresser, 10, of Medina competes in the junior showmanship competition.